Telegram-herald., 1887-09-12
A BAD PRIEST
He elop1s VITA a LAWYERS WIFE
New Ne Nsd< Love to the Lady Members
of His fIsek .ad spest His Time
With fast Horsss aad fasG
Womsz.

CHICAGO, Sept. ili.-The Rev. r. MoHat
Neill. the Baptist miaister whose recent
hasty departure from ST. Charles. H.. with
the wife OF w. c. Hunt, y prominent altor-
ney OF that city, and whose other rather
unministerial acts shock the very fouada-
tons OF society OF quiet 81. Charles, is not
unknown here. be came to Chicago from
Vermont in the Fall OF 1885. bringing sew
ersl letters of recommendation from promi-
nent Baptist church people OF the East. lie
presented his letters TO the deacons of the
North Ashland Avenue Baptist church,
which was withou. minister at the time.
The officers of the church were At once
fayorably impressed with the pleas
ing manners and address OF the reverend
gentleman, and be was engaged TO minister
10 tue spiritual wants of the congregation
ST a salary OF s.. 600. On the first Sunday
OF his introduction TO his flock the small
edifice was crowded; n week from that day
there was scarcely space 20 accommodate
the sssemblage which crowded into the
church to listen 10 bis inspiring eloquence,
the fame Of which had spread extensively
within one short week. After that his slc-
cess was assured, aud il he had kept within
the straight and narrow path he
might have been to this day electri-
fying with his remarkable oratory
an immense congregation. But he had
not been engaged in his new duties more
than eight months when it began TO be
whispered around that their beloved pastor
was not conducting himself IN manner
strictly proper for churchman. III was
hinted, and the rumors were given credence,
that Mrs. Nell and her large family OF
- l. 81, fin
Mrs. Neill was a woman OF delicate health,
and but for the kindness of the neighbors
would have suffered for the necessarles OF
life.
But this was not the greatest sin the min
ister was charged with. Other ana graYer
stories OF misconduct were reserved Tor
quiet and whispered conversations. Mr.
Neill was absent from his house large por-
ton of the time. and It 3 said during these
periods he was seen IN company of women
who would not, to speak mildly. nave been
received into the Ashland Avenue Baptist
Church. Mr.. Neill was a man of vigorous
health. but he often came home with un-
steady steps. and some of the neighbors say
that he always kept . plentiful supply OF
liquor in the house.
About yesr ago, when the scandalous
stories were flying thick and fast. Mrs.
Neill died in childbirth, and next-door
neighbor Of the family-a Mrs. Rice, who
lives at 26 BTyson- -st.-told the reporter
that q physician was not III attendance
upon the sick lady az the time. Mrs.
Neill's husband ordered physician at the
time, hut the latter being oat no other was
sent for. Neill sfterward collected s., 600
on a policy which he held on his wife's
| life.
The pastors disgracef1l conduct soon be-
came the current topic of conversation in
| the neighborhood, snd after his wife died
| he fell under a cloud, and three months
afterward his resignation was asked for. He
| Immediately rendered it. and one morning
suddenly disappeared, leaving numerous
unpaid grocery and provision bills. Some
of his creditors afterward hearing of bis
success in obtaining the $1,000 life insur-
arce money followed him to st. Charles,
H., where he went from this city, and com
PEELED him to settle.
There he was found at the head Of al in
| fiuential Baptist Church, adored by the
ladies and popular with everybody. bis
| eloquence and magnetic personality achiev-
| ing for him an immense following. Here
| il was he began life of plessure-driving
fast horses and making love TO the lady
members of the church. which finally
| terminated in his sudden departure followed
! by Mrs. Hunt, who had manifested great
l love TOT MOHdltb > mOLnflic1s tbiiNtSA anu
who visited at Nsiii's house at all hour, OF
the day and night. IL is now said THAT
Neill is living in Cincinnati.
| Neill's early career is equally notorious.
| It has been learned so far that be came from
| England about fifteen years ago TO Con-
] gregatiOnal church in Fairfield, Vt. IN
| ouries in England stated that his Gre
| dentials had been forged and he had TO
| move on. He next tried to get holy orders
| in the Episcopal church at Burlington, Vt.
| but an investigation caused him TO get out
| very quickly there. Wsverly, Iowa. was
| bis next station, but he left there and went
| to Orcana. H., where be made bit by
| being baptized into the Baptist church. He
| got into trouble there and went to Billencs,
| Mass. 1t is ALLEGED that lying and forgery
| were proved against aim there, and be wa'
| dismissed.